With Super Bowl 56 in the rearview mirror, it’s officially on to the offseason. Now that the draft order is official, it’s time to get rolling with the mock drafts. While free agency will change the outlook and needs of every NFL team, the NFL draft is the focal point of the offseason. With that in mind, let’s get rolling with my first mock draft of the year!
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1) Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal (OT – Alabama)
Protecting Trevor Lawrence has to be the Jaguars’ top priority this offseason. While adding an edge rusher to pair with Josh Allen is appealing, Doug Pederson understands the need to invest in the offensive line.
2) Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE – Michigan)
Hutchinson is arguably the best player in the draft class and fills a need for the Lions. Pairing him with Romero Okwara, Alim McNeill, and Levi Onwuzurike would give the Lions an interesting front four.
3) Houston Texans – Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE – Oregon)
While some believe Thibodeaux will slide out of the top five picks, I don’t see it happening. Thibodeaux was the likely No. 1 pick before the college season started. Furthermore, the Houston defense was awful last season, totaling 32 sacks. Thibodeaux walks in as a rookie and makes a massive difference.
4) New York Jets – Ikem Ekwonu (OL – NC State)
The Jets wisely added Alijah Vera-Tucker during the draft last year. Ekwonu has experience playing guard and tackle, giving the Jets flexibility with their offensive line. Protecting Zach Wilson has to be the Jets’ top priority this offseason.
5) New York Giants – Kyle Hamilton (S – Notre Dame)
Ideally, Neal or Ekwonu fall to this pick, and the Giants quickly turn in the card. However, that seems unlikely. With Jabrill Peppers hitting the open market next month, the Giants happily take arguably the best player in the entire draft class.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Washington Commanders receive pick 6. Carolina Panthers receive picks 11, 42.
6) Washington Commanders (via Carolina) – Malik Willis (QB – Liberty)
In the first trade of the mock draft, the Commanders give up their second-round pick to jump over the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos for the top quarterback in the draft class. While Sam Darnold struggled last season, the Panthers have only one pick in the top 100 selections and decide to move back to recoup some draft capital. Willis will need time to develop. However, if he hits his ceiling, Washington will have a steal with this pick.
7) New York Giants (via Chicago) – Charles Cross (OT – Mississippi State)
The Giants could go in several directions with this pick. While there are several edge rushers they could take with this pick, the Giants must do a better job protecting Daniel Jones. Pairing Cross with Andrew Thomas will give the Giants an excellent pair of bookend tackles for the next several years.
8) Atlanta Falcons – Treylon Burks (WR – Arkansas)
Calvin Ridley’s future with the Falcons is in doubt, while Russell Gage is an upcoming free agent. As talented as Kyle Pitts is, he needs help around him. Burks reminds some of a Deebo Samuel and A.J. Brown hybrid. Plugging him in this offense with Pitts would be exciting to see.
9) Denver Broncos – George Karlaftis (EDGE – Purdue)
After trading away Von Miller, the Broncos have Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed as their starting edge rushers. Reed is an upcoming free agent, while Chubb has struggled to stay healthy in his career and is entering a contract year. With Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr in the division, the Broncos can’t have too many good pass rushers.
10) New York Jets (via Seattle) – Ahmad Gardner (CB – Cincinnati)
The Jets have done a good job finding solid cornerbacks in the later rounds over the past few years. Bryce Hall had a productive second year in the league last season, but the Jets need a lockdown No. 1 cornerback. Gardner was the best player on a very talented Cincinnati defense last season. He would step in as a rookie and matchup against Stefon Diggs and Jaylen Waddle in the division.
11) Carolina Panthers (via Washington) – Tyler Linderbaum (iOL – Iowa)
Ideally, the Panthers would take an offensive tackle with this pick, but it’s too soon to take Trevor Penning. Instead, they improve the interior of their offensive line with Linderbaum. Some believe Linderbaum is the best interior offensive lineman prospect since Quenton Nelson. The Panthers must improve their offensive line this offseason.
12) Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley Jr. (CB – LSU)
The Vikings have several starters on defense set to hit the open market next month. Two of them are cornerbacks Patrick Paterson and Mackensie Alexander. Currently, the Vikings project to be over the salary cap. They will have a hard time re-signing either cornerback, let alone both. Stingley has some injury history concerns but is one of the best players in the draft class.
13) Cleveland Browns – Jermaine Johnson (EDGE – Florida State)
While many believe the Browns will take a wide receiver with this pick, I can see them waiting till the second round to add one. The draft is full of talented wide receivers, and the Browns have a few young guys they like in Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz. Instead, they grab Johnson to replace Jadeveon Clowney. He is an upcoming free agent and could leave for a bigger deal on the open market. After a strong performance during the Senior Bowl week, Johnson is a top 20 lock.
14) Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Green (OL – Texas A&M)
Don’t sleep on the Ravens for next season. Despite all the injuries, they were the No. 2 seed in the AFC before Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury. That said, the Ravens need to make some adjustments on the offensive line. Green can play either guard or tackle, providing the Ravens with the versatility they need to get their five best guys on the field.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Seattle Seahawks receive picks 15, 16, 19, Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia Eagles receive Russell Wilson.
15) Seattle Seahawks (via Philadelphia, Miami) – David Ojabo (EDGE – Michigan)
Rumors are out there that Wilson will get traded this offseason, and the Eagles are a potential landing spot. With three first-round picks and a young quarterback, the Eagles can offer the Seahawks the best package of draft picks and a replacement quarterback for Wilson. With the first of their new three first-round picks, the Seahawks take the high upside Ojabo. While Hutchinson was the star of the Michigan defense, Ojabo was very impressive, totaling 11 sacks and five forced fumbles.
16) Seattle Seahawks (via Philadelphia, Indianapolis) – Andrew Booth Jr. (CB – Clemson)
With the second pick they received from the Eagles, the Seahawks continue to improve their defense. Tre Brown was a great find in the fourth round last year. However, D.J. Reed and Sidney Jones are upcoming free agents. With Cooper Kupp, DeAndre Hopkins, and Samuel in the division, the Seahawks need to invest an early pick on a cornerback.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Pittsburgh Steelers receive pick 17. Los Angeles Chargers receive picks 20, 84.
17) Pittsburgh Steelers (via Los Angeles) – Kenny Pickett (QB – Pittsburgh)
The Steelers have to address the quarterback position this offseason. If Mason Rudolph is their starter next season, they will finish last in the division. Instead of paying a massive price to move into the top five for Willis, the Steelers send the Chargers a third-round pick to jump the New Orleans Saints for Pickett. After watching him play the past few years in their backyard, the Steelers should make Pickett the day one starter as a rookie.
18) New Orleans Saints – Drake London (WR – USC)
For the first time since 2005, Sean Payton is not the head coach for the Saints. While that could mean the end of the Taysom Hill experiment, the Saints don’t have to take a quarterback with this pick. They could re-sign Jameis Winston or target Teddy Bridgewater on the open market. That said, they must upgrade at wide receiver. While reports are they will not trade Michael Thomas this offseason, he needs a running mate. London was the best wide receiver in college football last season before getting hurt. Pairing him with Thomas will give the Saints two excellent wide receivers.
19) Seattle Seahawks (via Philadelphia) – Trevor Penning (OT – Northern Iowa)
Now that Wilson is an Eagle, it’s only fitting that the Seahawks use one of the picks from that trade to improve the offensive line. Duane Brown is an upcoming free agent, and at 36 years old, he likely won’t be back with the team. Penning had an impressive Senior Bowl week and showed he can play with the top college prospects. With several offensive tackle needy teams this year, Penning is a lock to be a top 25 pick.
20) Los Angeles Chargers (via Pittsburgh) – Jordan Davis (iDL – Georgia)
The Chargers were one of the worst teams at stopping the run last season, giving up 2,361 rushing yards, the third-most in the NFL. It was never more obvious than in Week 18 when the Chargers had no answer for Josh Jacobs, which ultimately cost them the playoffs. Davis was the centerpiece of Georgia’s elite defense last season. Plugging him in will go a long way in fixing the Chargers’ run defense.
21) New England Patriots – Nakobe Dean (LB – Georgia)
Dean should go well before the 21st pick, but team needs and positional value have pushed him down in this mock draft. However, the Patriots have several linebackers scheduled to be free agents next month, including starters Dont’a Hightower and Ja’Whaun Bentley. Dean is a do it all linebacker who could easily replace Hightower as the focal point of the defense.
22) Las Vegas Raiders – Garrett Wilson (WR – Ohio State)
As great as Hunter Renfrow was last season, he isn’t a No. 1 wide receiver. He finished with 128 targets and 1,038 receiving yards last season. No other Raiders wide receiver had more than 70 targets or 575 receiving yards. Furthermore, Zay Jones and DeSean Jackson are free agents. The Raiders must add a wide receiver early in the draft.
23) Arizona Cardinals – Travon Walker (EDGE – Georgia)
While all the drama is around Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have several critical upcoming free agents. The most important one is Chandler Jones. Even at soon to be 32 years old, he remains one of the best in the NFL and will want to be paid as such. The Cardinals might not be willing to meet his demands. If Jones leaves in free agency, that leaves the Cardinals with soon-to-be 31-year-old Markus Golden and Devon Kennard as their top edge rushers. Even if they re-sign Jones, the Cardinals need to add a young edge rusher at some point during the draft.
24) Dallas Cowboys – Devin Lloyd (LB – Utah)
For the second year in a row, the Cowboys draft a do it all linebacker in the first round. It worked out last year with Micah Parsons. However, the Cowboys might move Parsons to defensive end full-time next season. Furthermore, Leighton Vander Esch and Keanu Neal are upcoming free agents. Pairing Lloyd with Parsons would give defensive coordinator Dan Quinn several options when calling plays.
25) Buffalo Bills – Trent McDuffie (CB – Washington)
Tre’Davious White is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. However, when he tore his ACL, the defense struggled without him. Levi Wallace was picked on time and time again during the playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wallace is a free agent, and the Bills need to upgrade that starting spot.
26) Tennessee Titans – Trey McBride (TE – Colorado State)
The Titans could go in several directions with this pick as they have needs all over the roster. However, they currently don’t have a tight end under contract for next season. McBride had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl and has solidified himself as the top tight end in the draft class. He can play outside at wide receiver and block like a traditional tight end. Not only will McBride help in the running game, but he will also open things up for Brown and Julio Jones as defenses will have to account for him in their game planning.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chris Olave (WR – Ohio State)
Unless the Buccaneers trade for a quarterback, Kyle Trask should be the starter next season. Taking a quarterback with this pick would be a waste for the Buccaneers after using a second-round pick on Trask last year. Instead, they should give whoever is playing quarterback a new weapon. Whether Chris Godwin is back with the Buccaneers or not, Olave will make this offense all the more dangerous.
28) Green Bay Packers – Jameson Williams (WR – Alabama)
If not for tearing his ACL in the National Championship game against Georgia, Williams could have been the first wide receiver off the board. However, he slides down to the Packers with this pick, and they gladly turn in the card. Even if Davante Adams is back next season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard are free agents and might find better offers on the open market. While Williams could miss part of the year recovering from the torn ACL, he will be an excellent downfield weapon for Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love when healthy.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Atlanta Falcons receive pick 29. Miami Dolphins receive Calvin Ridley.
29) Atlanta Falcons (via Miami, San Francisco) – Matt Corral (QB – Ole Miss)
The belief around league circles is that Atlanta will agree to Ridley’s trade request. One team linked to Ridley is the Dolphins. Waddle played great as a rookie, but the Dolphins need another reliable wide receiver. DeVante Parker has struggled with injuries in his career, and the Dolphins can save $3.3 million by cutting him this offseason. Pairing Waddle with Ridley will give Tua Tagovailoa two excellent wide receivers and no more excuses.
30) Kansas City Chiefs – Roger McCreary (CB – Auburn)
After a slow start to the year, the Chiefs defense was one of the best units in the back half of the season. While their front seven is excellent, their secondary has some holes. Furthermore, four defensive backs for the Chiefs are upcoming free agents, including cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes. More than likely, one, if not both, will leave in free agency. With several talented wide receivers in the division, the Chiefs must address the cornerback position early in the draft.
31) Cincinnati Bengals – Zion Johnson (iOL – Boston College)
No matter what the Bengals did, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams got pressure all game long on Joe Burrow. The Bengals’ offseason plans have to be centered around improving the offensive line. Jonah Williams at left tackle is a lock to return next season. However, the other four starting spots need upgrades. Johnson had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl and has experience playing multiple spots on the offensive line. Whether Johnson plays guard or center, he would be a massive addition for Burrow.
32) Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles) – Jahan Dotson (WR – Penn State)
There are a few potential quarterback options for the Lions with this pick, including Sam Howell and Carson Strong. However, the Lions have a massive hole at wide receiver they need to fill. Amon-Ra St. Brown finished the year strong, but he’s not a No. 1 wide receiver. Dotson had a terrific final year at Penn State, totaling 12 touchdowns, the second-most in the Big 10. Pairing him with St. Brown and Hockenson would give Jared Goff a solid trio of young weapons.
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Mike Fanelli is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, follow him @Mike_NFL2